Autumn trip Part 1 of 3
River carp’s from Grande-Rhone
Both of the 3.2m long inflatable boats, is packed tight with gear. The little 2stroke engine, hissed in a stubborn battle, to push Jean Luc’s and mine equipment up the river.
Oncoming current, made the robe pulling our tow-boat, tense as a bowstring.
In beginning of august 2020. We fished Rhone under a baking sun. Companioned with hordes of mosquitos, we caught common-carp’s up till 12kg. Plus, a 255cm long catfish for Jean Luc, at an estimated weight of 125kg. This monster catfish, was a dreamlike fish to witness on the bank. (Read the article: 2019-2020 Road Trip).
Now it’s end of September. The autumn-storms are just ahead, and the largest river of France, will have one more attempt.
Short pleasure: A nice long boat trip, ends behind some islands, were the waterflow is slowed down. The carps we caught last year, had a low average weight. Most of them got hooked, out on the open river, at the edge of the main current.
In hope of less but bigger fish, we start the fishing in this quit pool. It’s filled with snags and trees along the edges. Maybe, that some big carps are hiding in these surroundings.
Our local friend Maxime drops by. He and he’s family, had with sublime hospitality, provided us with a place to sleep last night. This good man, are here to inspect our chosen start point, and agrees that this really smells fishy. After a nice lunch, he sails on.
Early first morning, Jean Luc catches a 10kg+ common. It had been a quiet night, that fitted perfectly in this theory about less fish. It’s still unknown, if the biggins are here.
Almost like genie of the lamp, and out of nothing!! From the bushes, placed along the opposite water edge, a hunter appears. Before leaving, he kindly but firmly explains, that we are in the line of fire, when a big hunt for wild boars, will unfold in this private area.
Only a few words are exchanged, when we following consumes breakfast. It’s not up for debate, if we should pack up and move to a new spot.
Wildly flying projectiles, is a really weighty argument!
New camp: On second day in the afternoon, we located a new swim at the main river. Out here, the big freighters and tourist ferries passes by. There’s more than 400m across river, and plenty of room for us.
Along the banks of Rhone, many years ago, big walls made of boulders were established. They stretch from land, and disappears in to the river. Further out, they are supplemented with transverse walls, placed in direction along the current. Large barriers for the waterflow, that lost function long time ago.
In some areas, these more or less collapsed stone settings, can be identified under the surface. Our tackles are to be found, in an exactly scenario like this.
A small minus, is the thick pillow of mud, one has to pass through, when landing fish, jump in the boat, releasing etc. If you stand still, the boots sink’s deep! They would like to stay in, when trying to pull them free. Some places are softer than others, and It’s worth noting, which one is worst.
Jean Luc’s setup is similar. When a run shows up, feeding will be supplemented, using a throwing stick. I spend 14kg boilies more, before we withdraw.
It would be possible from our position, to catch most of the fish from bank side. It’s only necessary to jump in the boat, if a fight got out of control.
Pressure from wind and water, makes us mount 170g on the combi-rigs. This keeps them fixed, until they get picked up.
The fishing: The echo sounder helps placing our markers, where every single tackle is mean to rest. Back on land are rod’s prepared, with lines set in line-clips, on the distance to each marker. Direction for casting, is pin pointed at trees and high spots in the horizon.
I bait with 3kg. 20mm boilies on each of my 3 spots. It’s done by boat and all markers are collected following. If not, they would inevitably disappear down river, when drifting weed drags them along.
Feeding areas are in front of the point, from a collapsed stone setting.
The boulders are placed along the river, and right on edge of the stream. One rod is fishing far out in the current. Next one, is in front of the walls point. Last is on the inside, in all most still water.
Depending on depth and power of the current, it’s important to bait up-stream the tackle, so feeding lands where you fish. There’s a depth of 6m on the “Far out” rod. Current moves my boilies 1-1.5m down-stream, each meter it sinks. In this case, I spread my boilies in a 2m narrow and 8m long belt. They break surface 6-14m up-stream the tackle. Now! Everything should meet on the bottom.
By this method the feedings are placed 15m apart, but in very different level of current. For the coming days, my 2 deepest rods on the outside, delivers most of the takes.
Mud fight: The night goes by, only catching one small 5kg+ carp, followed by a couple of 8-10kg catfish. I get the mixed pleasure of these 3 takes, and the carp strikes first. Dressed in waders, standing in water to my knees, I’m able to put my first fish of this trip, in the net.
While doing this, both boots had sunk deep in to the mud. It’s almost impossible to move. When pulling one leg, it just feels like the other gets even deeper. I had without any thought, trampled in to the softest area, along the water edge.
It’s only an inch, before Jean Luc gets awakened with a call of distress. Just the thought about, how much fun he would find in this situation, kept my mouth silent. Out of breath and drained for energy, I finally reach solid ground.
A bit later the two small catfish, get caught without problems. When catching them, I walk barefoot through the mud. It turned out a lot easier, to move around this way.
The result: At first light, this new swim begins to respond clearly. Maxime and he’s two kids, visits to enjoy a nice barbecue at the river. Youssef who also lives in the neighborhood, joins us for company. 4 carp’s that tops at 12.5kg. get caught before lunch is finished.
When our friends had left, the wind and the runs, increases in strength. 6 common carps more, is in the net before darkness arrives. Biggest one weighs 12.6kg.
Jean Luc is using stinky fishmeal boilies, which results in bonus takes, from some solid catfish. One particular, gave him a fight to the finish!
While I’m enjoying the sight, of he’s reel getting emptied from braided main line, a carp run unfolds. I have to leave my partner, to catch a 10kg+ common.
Arriving back to Jean Luc, it’s clear that he is winning the battle. Shortly after, my hand grabs an animal measured 197cm.
The weight is about 50kg.
Following, he changes the bait to my boilies, they apparently don’t attract the catfish, to the same extent. They are made without fish meal, and have a more spiced/creamed attractor profile.
At nightfall, the activity almost died out totally. Subdued grunts from wild boars behind camp, didn’t increased the desire to rush through the dark.
Next morning, fish are on the move again. Resulting in a day catch of 11 common carps, topping at 13.8kg.
The power from carps of this river, is frightening. Already when they exceed 10-11kg. A tight grip is required. These bundles of clean muscle, throws themselves in to the current, and fights are with maximum pressure, related to the hook hold. Even then, braided main line leaves the spool at high speed. An intense experience, witch pumps adrenalin through the veins.
Size 2 hook, strong hook-link, 0.70 mono leader and 0.30 braided main line, is a setup that will overcome the task.
Abrupt Finish: Fourth day by the river, a devastating announcement arrives.
Maxime and Youssef pay a visit, while they’re fishing for sanders. It’s bad news concerning the weather. Late next day, a serious storm will hit this region.
Bringing big amounts of water, it probably turns the river in to a living hell.
The previous 48 hours, fishing had only improved. Compared to last year, the average weight is raised by 2kg. It feels like question of time, before a big one shows up! Time is nearly gone now. We’re forced to leave, in less than 24 hours.
Last morning, Grande-Rhone are covered in heavy fog. It’s like a symbolic silence before the storm. 3 small carps end this session, then all the gear is packed up.
Flood: It had been an eventful, but way to short experience. We went all in and the pot got taken, right in front of us.
Only one question remained! Where to go for our next destination?
36 hours after leaving Rhone, the river had responded to this massive rain, that were predicted. The area we used for camp site, was now flooded in a rapid moving water mass.
It’s never a shame to leave the party, if you’re asked to!
Martin Stormly 2021.
